OC Transpo may get $5.1 million to improve buses

OC Transpo will have $5.1 million more to improve bus service across the city, and not just in the growing areas, if city council approves the 2019 transit budget.

Transportation general manager John Manconi said he, along with transit commission chair Allan Hubley, wants to see a mix of bus routes boosted by that proposed increase in the transit budget, which staff tabled Wednesday at the commission. Transpo still has to figure out which routes will benefit.

“If your bus is late or didn’t show up, and we’re investing, thanks to the chair and the mayor directing us to look at new, innovative ways to improve customer service, that bus (arriving) will be appreciated,” Manconi said.

Transpo has about $611 million in planned spending in its 2019 draft budget. Transit fares are proposed to increase by an average of 2.5 per cent on July 1.

Transpo’s latest data suggests more people have been using public transit. The agency says 2018 ridership was up one per cent over 2017, and a 1.5-per-cent increase is expected this year.

This is considered a transition year for Transpo with the anticipated launch of the Confederation Line LRT.

There could be more clarity on the LRT opening date Tuesday when the finance and economic development committee receives an update on the $2.1-billion project. With the handover of the transit system anticipated on March 31, councillors will want to know if Rideau Transit Group will meet the deadline after missing two handover deadlines in 2018.

Transpo is removing 180 buses — mostly inefficient hybrid buses — it won’t need after the switch to LRT. However, the agency also plans to spend $7.8 million this year to add 12 new 40-foot buses for expanded service.

Transpo is also proposing to make Sundays free for seniors at an annual cost of $100,000, in addition to the Wednesdays seniors already get for free. The free-ride Sundays was an election campaign promise by Mayor Jim Watson. Manconi said “it’s a very minimal investment for what I think is a good initiative” to get seniors out in the community

The transit commission will discuss the budget on Feb. 20 and send its recommendation to council for March 6.